Snowden Extradition Could Get Snarled In Hong Kong Courts

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon tells CBS News that Washington has asked Hong Kong to turn over NSA leaker Edward Snowden under the terms of a 1998 extradition treaty between the two governments.

"Hong Kong has been a historically good partner of the United States in law enforcement matters and we expect them to comply with the treaty in this case," Donilon said.

A senior law enforcement source tells NPR's Carrie Johnson:

"Extradition can, of course, be a lengthy legal process. But we are confident, based on the strong history of law enforcement cooperation between Hong Kong and the U.S., that at the end of that process, Hong Kong will extradite Mr. Snowden."

Here's our original post:

Now that Edward Snowden is an accused spy in the U.S., how will federal prosecutors get him extradited from the Chinese territory of Hong Kong, where he's reportedly in hiding?

Snowden surfaced in Hong Kong last week, admitting that he was the source of leaks that led to a series of Guardian exposes on the National Security Agency's data-collection programs. Since then, he has become something of a cause célèbre in the Asian hub.

The U.S. and semiautonomous Hong Kong have an extradition treaty that dates to 1998.

U.S. government sources tell NPR's Carrie Johnson that there's "every indication" that Snowden is still in Hong Kong, but that authorities "want to make sure every I is dotted and T is crossed" before making any move to bring him the United States.

Carrie notes that although Snowden has been charged in a criminal complaint, extradition proceedings can't begin until he's formally indicted by a U.S. grand jury. "Depending on how Hong Kong and China play this, it could take a while," she says.

The Guardian quotes Hong Kong barrister Hectar Pub as saying the extradition could take three to five years because the U.S.-Hong Kong extradition treaty doesn't specifically cover espionage; instead, authorities there would have to come up with an equivalent charge to go forward.

"Snowden could claim political asylum in Hong Kong, arguing he would face torture back home. Article six of the treaty states extradition should be refused for 'an offence of a political character.'

" 'The unfairness of his trial at home and his likely treatment in custody' were important factors to consider when assessing Snowden's chances of claiming political immunity from extradition, said [Simon] Young [a law professor at the University of Hong Kong].

"Should a Hong Kong court eventually call for Snowden's extradition, Hong Kong's leader and China could still veto the decision on national security or defence grounds."